Monday Reading: Romans 12:17-21
Key Verse: Romans 12:21
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Devotion:
How many times have you got angry with someone over the past week? I’m not just talking about getting so steamed up that you want to hit something but even being annoyed with someone for not doing things your way or the right way. Well, we all do get angry and wrath is a part of our lives. The wrath in itself is not wrong but the feelings that we allow to take over that are wrong. Jesus allowed His wrath to be shown in the temple when so many people were openly sinning against God; He had every right to do exactly that. Anger is normal, hate is not.
Christ continues to try and encourage us to not allow hate to take over in our lives because it is that feeling that will be our downfall as we allow it to take over. Christ wants us to continue to show love in adversity and to continue to show His love through our actions even when we don’t think we can do it! He is the one that will give us the strength and grace to show mercy even when we cannot find it within ourselves. He is the one who wants us to show His grace and mercy to the rest of the world.
When things go against us we often try to work out ways in which we can get even or work out ways in which we can plot the downfall of our enemies. That is not what Christ is teaching us to do. He would rather that we show other people love and care in times like those than to plot against them. If we show them love and care then they will have to question their actions; hopefully they will then also question what it is that you believe that they are missing out on. That may be the time that we can then spend a little time talking to someone and allowing them to know that God love them no matter how much they do against Him. It is not how much we can love others but how much God already loves every one of us – even the vilest of sinners!
Points to Ponder:
Do you get angry?
Are you ready to show God’s love through your actions?
